The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi has decried the worsening security situation in the country, describing the abductions of school children as unacceptable.
Obi described the situation where Nigerian children will not be allowed to learn in a secure environment because of criminals as intolerable.
The former Anambra State governor charged relevant authorities to initiate effective measures that would guarantee that children go to school to learn in a conducive atmosphere and that citizens can worship their creator and engage in their businesses without hindrance.
Writing on his X handle (formerly Twitter), Obi said, “Just yesterday, I was lamenting the horrible spate of killings, terror attacks, and abductions in the country, while calling for more concerted efforts to combat the menace.
“We are again confronted with the ugly news of the abduction of over 200 pupils and students plus a teacher of local primary and junior secondary schools in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government area of Kaduna State.”
The former presidential candidate also lamented an attack on a mosque in Kaduna, on Friday.
He expressed curiosity that Kaduna State with the highest number of military and other security institutions in the country should be experiencing the level of insecurity happening in the state.
“While every effort should be directed towards the safe release of the children, better security measures need to be implemented to avoid future occurrences,” he changed.
Obi noted that “insecurity has continued to bear down on every sector of our national existence, its negative impact on education will be more devastating for the nation.
“We are already contending with an army of over 18 million out-of-school children, arising from the closure of schools due to insecurity.
“Further attacks on schools will only aggravate these numbers, drive more children into the streets, and add to the insecurity situation of the country,” Obi noted.
The former governor then appealed to the federal and state governments to explore all possible means to ensure the safe release of the abducted school children.
“I urge every Nigerian to continue to work and pray for the nation so that we can collectively conquer our challenges.
“We must ensure that every Nigerian child can pursue their dreams and aspirations in a safe and secure nation. This is our duty in the New Nigeria which is possible,” Oni stressed.
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